Blog

When to Plant Daikon in Mariposa County, CA

Daikon is a large, mild Japanese radish that can grow over a foot long. It is excellent for pickling, stir-fries, and as a soil-breaking cover crop.

Mariposa County, California is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 192 feet, Mariposa County receives approximately 19.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Daikon during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Daikon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Mariposa County, CA (Zone 7b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
205 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Mariposa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 10

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,328 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Daikon needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,741 GDD Excellent fit

Daikon Planting Timeline โ€” Mariposa County, CA

Daikon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 27

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

5.8 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Mariposa County

Direct sow in late summer for fall harvest. Loosen soil deeply before planting. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart. Harvest before hard freeze as exposed shoulders may crack.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Hyssop

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daikon in Mariposa County, CA?

Mariposa County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Daikon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mariposa County, CA?

Mariposa County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mariposa County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Mariposa County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.